THE AMERICAN PROPOSAL
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In your leading article last week you said : " We have all been approaching the question of limitation [of armaments] from the wrong end." But have we not all been approaching the question of preserving the peace of the world from the wrong end ? In urging the limitation of armaments as a means of preserving peace, are we not mistaking one of the symptoms for the disease, and is not the treatment being directed to the removal of the symptom rather than to the cure of the disease ?
When limitation of armaments is proposed, what is the reply ? " Yes, that would: be excellent if the other Powers would do the hie. . . . They might agree to do it, but you could never be sure that they would keep their word. Look at Germany. She agreed to limit her armaments, but we are constantly hearing how she is evading her promises. No ; the fact is the Nations cannot trust one another."
Is not that the disease, the want of confidence of the Nations in one another ? Until you can cure that you will never begin to be assured of peace.
To promote good will among the nations is surely the first object to be aimed at. But how is it to be accomplished ? That is a question not for the politician or even for the states- man, at least in the first instance, but for the psychologist, to whose consideration I earnestly commend it.—I am, Sir, &c.,
259 Union Street, Aberdeen.
PATRICK COOPER.
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